Women in power and out of it

THE RISE of women into to high public office has given a new dimension to the global political scene. In the United States, for the first time in history, a woman, Hilary Clinton, has been nominated to run for the Office of the President.

The decisions and direction women in powerful positions bring to their national governments can determine the fate of millions of people. Theresa May in the United Kingdom has recently become Prime Minister. Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister of Germany, is the most powerful woman in the European Union. The women leaders in Bangladesh, Brazil and other countries have the historical opportunity to combat the exploitation of the most vulnerable women and children.